A LARGE section of intelligentsia representing minorities has favoured economic rather than caste or religion-based reservation and also averred that the facility should be restricted to one-time only.
Members of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (NCRLM) disclosed this to journalists after their extensive talks with a cross-section of people here in the last two days.
The members said they found intellectuals, non-governmental organizations (NGOS), officials and representatives of various groups in Madhya Pradesh more aware, focused and responsive than in some other states.
In the meetings with representatives of various bodies, the members got feedback about various issues, including problems in implementation of government schemes, difficulties in obtaining loans from banks and caste certificates from district authorities.
They also held talks with senior government officials at Mantralaya on Saturday. The Union Government has constituted the commission to determine the criteria for identification of social and economically backward sections amongst the religious and linguistic minorities and to recommend measures for their welfare.
Member of the commission Dr Anil Wilson and member- secretary Asha Das today met Chief Secretary Rakesh Sahni and other senior officials. Das explained to the officials about the constitution of the commission and its objectives.
The Principal Secretary (Backward Castes and Minorities’ Welfare), Hoshiyar Singh apprised the commission members of the welfare measures taken up by the department.
Later, the NCRLM member met MP Minorities’ Commission members. The Commission is headed by Justice Rangnath Mishra and include Dr Tahir Mahmood, Dr Anil Wilson and Dr Mohinder Singh as members. The commission has already visited several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Pondicheryy and Haryana for interaction with intellectuals, social scientists, non-governmental organisations, social scientists, government officials et al.
{{/usCountry}}Later, the NCRLM member met MP Minorities’ Commission members. The Commission is headed by Justice Rangnath Mishra and include Dr Tahir Mahmood, Dr Anil Wilson and Dr Mohinder Singh as members. The commission has already visited several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Pondicheryy and Haryana for interaction with intellectuals, social scientists, non-governmental organisations, social scientists, government officials et al.
{{/usCountry}}On a two-day visit to State, the Commission’s team met Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. They also met leaders of minority communities like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains apart from linguistic groups like Malayalis and Sindhis.
The Commission members also held detailed discussions about the state of madarsa education in Madhya Pradesh and how to bring minority students into mainstream of education.
The views were also sought on extending benefits of reservation to SC/ST who convert to other religions. The commission had given State Government officials a questionnaire to fill. The Commission is expected to submit its report in six months.